Peanut Butter

In creating this recipe, I tried to reproduce the flavors in a peanut sauce that was served over skewers of tofu in an Indonesian restaurant my sons and I visited in Amsterdam. I’m sure this is a simplified rendition, but no matter—it’s really good! Use it to top sautéed tofu or tempeh; it’s also good with noodles. See Golden Tofu Triangles with Rich Peanut Sauce (page 46).

As a fan of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, I grew obsessed with the idea of re-creating that rich, satisfying taste in a pie and worked to develop the perfect recipe. Be forewarned that this pie is quite rich and filling. I recommend serving it at the end of a light meal—or even better, as a meal unto itself!

These lunchbox favorites are equally delicious when sandwiched with jam—use any flavor you like.

Stephen Harriman, a writer for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, says, “For some reason, I was expecting the peanut pie to be a pecan pie look-alike. Instead it looked more like a lemon meringue or banana cream pie. If you like peanuts smooth, you’ll love this.”

The texture of this pie is creamier and smoother than the version that Mrs. Rowe’s restaurants serve, which was included in Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant Cookbook: A Lifetime of Recipes from the Shenandoah Valley. For smooth peanut butter fans, this pie is hard to beat. The recipe comes from Susan Simmons, a baker for Mrs. Rowe’s Catering.

Peanuts are grown in the southeastern part of Virginia but enjoyed throughout the state, especially in pie. The crunchy peanut butter crumbles and the smoothness of the custard pair for a scrumptious pie experience. For an interesting take on the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, try it in the Chocolate Cookie Crust (page 21).

Inspiration for new cupcakes can come from anywhere, even a popular childhood sandwich. The creamy peanut butter frosting may be crowned with any jelly or jam flavor; strawberry is pictured, but grape or raspberry would also be delicious. For the best flavor, use natural-style peanut butter in the cupcake batter.

An abundance of creamy peanut-butter filling renders these cupcakes extra-rich and irresistible. The batter and filling—each whisked together by hand—are layered, then swirled to create the marbleized pattern on top.

In this diner-style delight, a chocolate-wafer crust anchors a silky-smooth peanut butter and whipped cream filling. Drizzles of melted chocolate and peanut butter decorate the surface.

No baking required, so these are a fast and easy sugar fix! Just make sure the baking sheets fit in your fridge; otherwise, make some room and lay the sheets of waxed paper directly on the fridge shelf. These are also great to make with kids because there’s no hot stuff to fear. We like to layer these with Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream (pages 136 and 137), but Caramel (page 139) is pretty awesome too. The cookies will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Lucinda Scala Quinn, editorial director of food and entertaining for Martha Stewart Living, keeps this cookie dough on hand for casual get-togethers. After forming the dough into 1-inch balls, she flattens them slightly before freezing on cookie sheets until firm; the ready-to-bake pieces are then frozen in resealable plastic bags for up to one month.

Recipes for peanut butter cookies abound, but this one packs a particularly powerful punch. The dough is studded with whole salted peanuts for extra crunch. Sandwich a few with jelly for an afternoon snack. Or embellish them instead by piping melted semisweet chocolate into the lines of the cross-hatch pattern.

This version of a well-loved combination from childhood concentrates the flavors into a sweet dessert that appeals to all ages. We like strawberry jam, but feel free to substitute any flavor you prefer

The origins of the whoopie pie remain a mystery, but many believe that the cookie, a specialty of Pennsylvania Dutch country and parts of New En gland, was created when leftover cake batter was baked, iced, and sandwiched as a treat for children. We used a peanut butter filling, but substitute Seven-Minute Frosting (recipe follows) if you prefer.

This recipe calls for natural peanut butter, which gives the cookies a richer peanut flavor. Old-fashioned rolled oats produce a heartier texture than the smaller-cut quick-cooking variety, while whole peanuts deliver added crunch.

Dollops of peanut butter filling are spooned onto brownie batter; pulling a knife back and forth through both results in a marbleized look.